Kashan’s Golabgiri Festival has recently been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Iran, some happy news! But what is the history of this tradition, and when did it begin? Let’s explore.
Kashan’s Golabgiri is made from the “red rose,” a flower native to Iran. The world waited centuries to discover the Iranian rose and spread its seeds. History shows that during the Safavid era (10th-11th centuries), the red rose seeds were taken from Iran to Europe, introducing its beauty and fragrance to the continent.
However, Iran’s rosewater was known much earlier. Through the ancient Silk Road, Iranian rosewater was carried across the globe, making Iran famous for its fragrant gift. It’s believed that India and China were among the first to use Iranian rosewater.
The cultivation of red roses in Iran dates back thousands of years, with botanists like Avicenna (5th century) experimenting with extracting essential oils for medicinal purposes. This led to the continuity of the Golabgiri tradition in Iran, ensuring it was never forgotten.
Though the first rosewater extraction in Iran is believed to have occurred in Fars province, it was through Kashan’s golabgiri production that its fame spread throughout Iran and the world.
Experts trace rose cultivation in Iran back 7,000 years, while the practice of Golabgiri has a history of at least a thousand years.
Qamsar and Its Rosewater Tradition
Qamsar, located just under 30 kilometers from Kashan, boasts soil so rich that it is ideal for growing red roses, making it the best place in Iran for rose cultivation. This is why the people of Qamsar have long been pioneers in both rose growing and rosewater production.
With a history stretching back to the Achaemenid period, Qamsar is an ancient town. Although exact details of its early settlement are unclear, it is known to have been inhabited in ancient times. The name “Qamsar” is believed to be linked to “qanat” (traditional water channels), reflecting the town’s longstanding connection with water.
Throughout history, Qamsar has played an important role during various periods, including the Seljuk and Safavid eras, when it became a center for political movements, military campaigns, and royal travels.
The town is also famous for its pleasant climate, enriched by its many lush gardens. The people of Qamsar, who are known for their fondness of flowers, speak a dialect that is slightly different from the Kashani dialect.
Golabgiri tradition in Kashan
Let’s return to the red roses of Kashan and Qamsar, and the time-honored tradition of Golabgiri.
In May, the air in Qamsar is filled with the sweet, intoxicating fragrance of red roses. This is the time when the people of Qamsar and Kashan engage in the annual Golabgiri, a tradition they celebrate with great joy. This event, which they call “Jashn” (Festival), is truly one of a kind.
The Golabgiri begins in mid-May and continues through the end of spring. During this period, the gardens of Kashan and its surrounding towns, such as Qamsar, Niasar, and Meshad-e-Ardahal, are bursting with the scent of roses. The Golabgiri workshops stay busy, producing some of the finest rosewater in the world.
The process starts by picking the freshest red roses in the spring, which are then transported to copper cauldrons at the distillation workshops. The roses are placed in these cauldrons, which have pipes attached to them. Steam passes through the pipes, condenses, and flows into a cold-water chamber, resulting in the production of Golab (rosewater). In the traditional method, one liter of water is added for every kilogram of roses. These copper cauldrons can hold up to 50 kilograms of roses and are tightly sealed with copper lids.
The golabgiri process is both a visual delight and having high medicinal qualities. The Golab produced is used in cooking, medicine, and beauty treatments, making it famous worldwide. This exceptional product, which is created with care during the spring season, is cherished throughout the year. It graces Iranian tables and kitchens in every season.
